Cardinal Richelieu

Cardinal Richelieu

September 9, 1585- December 4, 1642

Cardinal Richelieu was a clergyman, noble, and politician. Born in Paris, France to François du Plessis, seigneur de Richelieu and Susanne de La Porte. He was the fourth out of five children. His family is of nobles, but were very low ranking. When Richelieu was nine, he studied philosophy. Immediately after he was done, he started his military career. Henry III rewarded Richelieu’s family for their work in the religion wars by giving the family the. Bishopric of Lucon. This started Richelieu’s most successful career, being in the church.

In 1614, Richelieu was elected to be in the States-General. He debated viciously on that the church shouldn’t have to pay taxes. After he had won the support of the States-General, he was advanced to the almoner to King Louis XIII wife. I was also in this time when Richelieu won support from Concino Concini. This helped Richelieu greatly because; Concini was the minister in France that had the most power. He was then advanced to Secretary of State and him dealed with foreign representatives. After the death of duc de Luynes, Louis made Richelieu the Chief Minister (highest ranking other than that of the royal family).

With Louis still young, he was very naïve in politics and weaker in his acts. Richelieu took advantage of this in every way. Richelieu took complete control over the military, the church, and the public. Really, King Louis XIII was a puppet and the power behind the throne was really Cardinal Richelieu. In order for him to remain, Richelieu stripped aristocrats of their title and every thing else they had.

Whit Richelieu’s life coming to an end, he named his successor to be Jule Cardinal Mazarin. Marzarin was Richelieu’s most trusted friends and he would do anything that Richelieu wanted him to.